Ash Gardner was ruled-out of Australia women's first T20I against New Zealand after colliding with Georgia Wareham during the team warm-up and sustaining a head injury.
Gardner and Wareham collided while playing a game of 'torpedo' while warming up for the clash. Both attempted to catch the foam rocket ball that was thrown their way, with Wareham taking the catch and Gardner's momentum taking her towards her teammate. Their heads clashed forcefully, with Wareham knocked backwards and Gardner falling over after the impact.
The rest of the Australia side immediately gathered around the players, looking shocked by the impact. Gardner was seen on the floor holding her jaw and looking visibly upset by the collision. Wareham was bent over recovering from the impact, and was seen checking her teeth were all still secure in her mouth.
Ash Gardner is out due to concussion protocols...
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) September 19, 2024
After this head clash with Georgia Wareham in a warm up game 😮#AUSvNZ pic.twitter.com/fN9tNWiJoc
Both were assessed by the Australia team doctor to comply with concussion protocols, and the toss was delayed for around 15 minutes. When the toss did take place, Australia lost it and were asked to field first by stand-in New Zealand captain Suzie Bates. While Wareham was included in Australia's XI, Gardner was not.
Cricket Australia released a statement confirming Gardner had been ruled out of the fixture as a result of the collision with Wareham. The statement read: "Ash Gardner suffered a hit in the jaw as a result of a collision during the warm up and is unavailable for tonight's match."
Gardner has had a history of concussions, and it's understood that she was kept out as a precaution due to previous head impacts.
Speaking after the toss, Australia captain Alyssa Healy said: "There was a little bit of chaos in the warm up. Two big bodies going at it in the warm up game. Coaches would be proud going hard on the ball."
New Zealand posted 143-7 batting first in Mackay, Maddy Green top scoring with 35 off 33 balls. At the time of writing Australia have not started their chase.
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